Diagnosis - OB/Gyn or ER?

First off, I admire your strength and determination. I have been reading your posts for a few days and there is so much hope on these boards. It is really wonderful to see.

Thank you in advance for reading my post/question. While I have been lurking for a few days, I am now beginning to freak out. Not sure what to do so thought perhaps some of you could offer your recommendation. I hope you don't mind my asking. I am not sure who else to ask as I do not want to worry any family or friends with this.

I do not yet know if I have cancer and am trying to figure out whether it is OK to wait for my scheduled ob/gyn appointment on Jan. 5 (I scheduled it on 12/28 and it was first available with the holidays) or whether I should go to an urgent care clinic or an ER.

I have some troubling symptoms. I have had cramping in my addominal area for about 3 weeks now - it is there 24/7 but mild - I probably would ignore it but for the fact I also found a small lump near my anal region and feel a large mass of something in my vaginal area (all discovered while showering). I am feeling bloated, have gained 5 pounds (without a change in diet habits) and have noticed my socks hurt my ankles and start cutting off the circulation throughout the day. I am now 140 pounds and 5' 10". I am definitely not pregnant (have 3 young kids).

Would you wait for the appointment or should I go to an urgent care clinic or ER asap? If I have cancer, will 5 days of waiting matter? Do I go to a hospital for some peace of mind (as the known is better than the unknown)?

So sorry you are dealing with this. Please NEVER apologize for anything here. We are all here to share and support each other.

I think I'd go to ER. That's how I found out I had cancer. Severe acute pain which started as cramping but within hours forced me to ER and the CT scans they did found the mass in my uterus. I was admitted and the journey began!! I also had bloating. I asked the GYN-OB that I got referred to what caused the sudden onset of pain - "probably a cyst broke".

I'm not saying you have cancer - however if the cramping is a warning sign before any cysts plan on breaking - then going early is a good thing. When you go to doc, he/she will schedule tests and these may not be immediate (just a thought). If you go to ER, the tests will give doc immediate info.

I agree that you should get a CA125 blood test and GET copies of your records and take to your doctor's appointment. If they suspect cancer, please have any surgery done by Gynecologic Oncologist. I'm biased for the open surgery so doc can get a good look around.

Please keep us posted. You have my prayers that this is nothing!! Mary Ann

Thank you, thank you. I will go to the hospital - not tonight (unless I feel worse since it is New Year's) but tomorrow or Tuesday for sure. I will not wait for 1/5. I live within 30 minutes of some great city hospitals (rather than my local hospital) and plan to go directly there in case I must stay or have tests. I will update everyone when I learn something. Thank you for your support and good wishes. Also, I am grateful to know about the CA125 test.

So sorry about your pain. I assume that it why you called your gyne in the first place. Further, have you ever been diagnosed before or is there a reason why you think you might have something? Before I was diagnosed, I experienced severe pain for over 7 months even though I was seeking medical help. At first it was kind of off and on and I went to my PCP who prescribed a colonoscopy. (Had that and it was negative). I then went to my gyne who ordered a laparoscopy. It was determined that I had severe endometriosis and that I would need a hysterectomy. Also was prescribed a vaginal ultrasound (also normal). But my hysterectomy had to wait seven months. By this time, I was in severe pain (to the point of almost passing out) was prescribed pain pills and then put on lupron until my surgery. So although you are in pain, it might not be anything to worry about. So if you are waiting 5 days it might not be a big deal.

However, if you are saying that in the last week you gained 5 pounds (unless it was from celebrating the holidays), and that you have a lump by your rectum (I also did). You never indicated how your bowels are working. If you are having pains before you go or during, also if you have been constipated or if your stools are thin all the time or blood in them, I would probably go to the ER to be checked out for peace of mind. Otherwise, I would just wait for your appointment on the 5th. But it is your choice and you have to feel comfortable and do what is best for you.

Like Joann says, make sure you tell your doctor ALL of your symptoms. It is important even if you think it is something small.

Also, if there is any doubt as to what you may have, ask for a CT scan too. I did before my initial surgery but was told that I wouldn't need one because it was only scar tissue. If I would have had one, it would have prevented me from having another surgery for staging (because they found the cancer AFTER my hysterectomy). And like everyone else says, get the CA125 (although it was not an indicator for me).

Thank you again for your comments. Kathy, I did not get to respond to yours but I did read it and felt relieved when you, too, had had a lump (that I deduced from your post was not anal cancer).

So I got in to my doctor today - told the office that, psychologically, I couldn't wait until Thursday - so was relieved to get things rolling.

I do not have much additional information yet but he was puzzled by my symptoms and ordered a series of tests including CA-125 and an ultrasound. I should have results tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. He said I had a differential diagnosis. I will give the details since when I was lurking about, reading about the symptoms of others was helpful to me. Also, maybe some of you have experienced similar things and would have insight.

He noted the following:
-very enlarged thyroid
-pain in my intestinal area
-my body appeared to be in menopause (yet I am 42 and still mensturating regularly)
-my urethra is falling out of my body (the lump I felt in the vaginal area)

The lump in the anal area was a hemorrhoid. . .

The ultrasound technician spent a lot of time with the endometrium although perhaps that is normal.

When I get more info about results, I will update.

He said the test he ordered to detect inflammation (not sure if that is CA-125 or something else) would help hone his investigation.

Again, I thank you all for your comments and well wishes. I really enjoy also seeing your pictures and putting beautiful faces to names.

Take care and may the New Year bring you much health and happiness.

Lisa

PS In answer to some of your questions, I did not have bleeding, bowels working normally and have not had cancer before. My mind went to cancer since none of the other abdominal maladies I googled seemed to have the same symptoms that I was experiencining.

Update - bloodwork (including CA-125) came back within normal range but endometrium is thick. I am going to have a biopsy next week (yet to be scheduled). NP (gave me results) not sure why cramping persists - perhaps low estrogen (although bloodwork did not indicate it as such)??

Does anyone know whether bloodowrk can look good but biopsy can show cancer?

Will let you know biopsy results. Please take care all. I think of the spirit, bravery and comraderie on this board often.

Yes, I think I am going to start a new post as I am not sure many read this post anymore due to its title. I had the biopsy today. Once there, doctor told me there was lots of tissue there. Also found a polyp on my cervix and the ultrasound showed fluid in my uterus. He said I may need a D&C - and more polyps could be hiding behind the thick lining. They said it wil take 1 week for results. He is telling me I have nothing to worry about but when I google fluid in uterus and thick endometrium and cramping, I dont see a lot of other conclusions. . .

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